Looking for Alibrandi

I can't believe this was a debut novel. Melina Marchetta has a brilliant way of writing real and relatable characters that you feel an immediate connection to. This was an amazing story that had me laughing hysterically in many parts. I've been having a hard time trying to think of what to say in this review so I'm just going to list the things I love about this book:Josephine and her big, smart mouth. She's feisty and not a pushover. That along with her big mouth often gets her into trouble. Yet, she's cares about others.Jacob Coote: So passionate and straightforward. He's not afraid to say what's on his mind. Loved this quote from him: "I've grown accustomed to you," he said. "You're just not what I'm used to." "And you've got the biggest mouth I've ever met." Josie: "Lovely. Why am I lying on the beach with a boy who's insulting me."?" Jacob: "Because you're attracted to me sexually." The romance between him and Josie is a nice blend of sweet and ornery at the same time. These two are ready to smack each other one minute, and then kiss until their lips are bruised, the next.The old-world Italian family: Christina, Josie's mom, who gave up so much to raise Josie on her own. Nonna Katia, the hysterics and drama always surrounding her. In the beginning you find her just as irritating as Josie. But as Josie gets her history, you feel for her just as Josie does. Nonna Katia's story ends up being quite interesting and sad at the same time. And then there's Michael, the father who comes back into the Alibrandi's life. The developing relationship was heart-warming.Here are some of my favorite quotes/scenes:Josie: "We don't even love each other." Jacob: "I do a bit, you know." Josie: "You do what a bit?" Jacob: "You know. Like you...whatever...love you a bit." Josie: "I think I kind of love you too."Jacob: "Didn't I once squash two eggs against your glasses?" Josie: "I'm flattered you remembered."Josie: "He's not my type." Lee: "Why?" Josie: "He cracked two eggs on my glasses once." Lee: "Out of twelve girls in that alley, he picked you to do that to. I think he likes you."Sister Gregory is famous for nostril-flaring. Once I commented to someone that she must have been a horse in another life. She overheard and scolded me, saying that, as a Catholic, I shouldn't believe in reincarnation.

Looking for Alibrandi takes me to a part of Australia I didn’t know existed and includes characters I never suspected were part of Australian life. Josephine Alibrandi has never known her father, and the lack of a father is a major problem in her Italian family. Just being from an Italian heritage sets Josephine up for scorn from her solidly Australian friends, and not having a father sets Josephine up for scorn from both her Australian friends and her Italian family.And then her father comes back into her life.Josephine is a wonderfully real teen, full of both worries and courage, as she unexpectedly comes to connect with both her dad and other teens.

After seeing (and LOVING) the movie when it first came out, I finally got around to reading the book. Granted, it's a YA book and a bit outdated, but to be honest, the writing just wasn't terribly good. I kept picking out scenes as I was reading them, and marveling at how well the filmmakers & actors had done taking the clunky writing and turning into such a wonderful movie.

Looking for Alibrandi is a captivating story with many twists and turns. Marchetta knows her stuff. The story rings true from start to finish. She allows the protagonist to hold the reigns and work out her own response to life's challenges. Due to her openness and truthfulness in communicating with others, the protagonist journeys towards high moral standards for her own life. This is a story about an intelligent girl wending her way through a maze of complicated living circumstances. The book is a must for anyone desiring to know what makes young adults tick.

This was a really great read for a summer vacation. It is about growing up and learning about love and your family. It is one of those coming of age stories that was watching a young girl unfold before your eyes.

Coming of age tale of an Australian girl with parents & grandparents who emigrated to Melbourne from Italy. Could apply to a girl in the States with the same heritage. I enjoyed it.

Good. Not great.

It's such a page turner. Heartwarming, funny, touching. It is definitely one of the best coming-of-age novels I've ever read.

As an Australian-Italian who grew up in Sydney this book speaks particularly to me. Having read it at 13, 16, 21 and now 26 and gaining different elements each time, I think this book is appropriate to all ages post mid-teens because it appeals to an identity search we have all been familiar with at some point in our lives.Josephine's voice is earnest and engaging. It is a joy to watch her character grow across the story and slowly develop a more mature outlook on life and what independence, tradition and identity can mean for young women in our busy, multicultural world today.

Perfect, purchase arrived really early and in lovely condition thank you, super seller will use again

It wasn't clear in the description that this was the study guide version. As it was a gift I was really disappointed.

I had to teach this one, and thought it was going to be 'worthy' if predictable. But it's actually a great novel, and should be read by young and old.

I first read the book in Italian, more than 10 years ago, loved it a lot, and recently re-read it in the original version. It used to be one of my favorite books and still is, though of course I have grown up and changed quite a lot since I first read it (I think I was 12). I was pleasantly surprised by how good the book still seemed to me - I mean, sometimes I re-read books I used to love as a teenager and I am ashamed of how stupid they are (and of how stupid I was for liking them). With this one that didn't happen. Maybe at the time I could relate to Josie's anxiety and fears and insecureness more than I do now, but the book still is relevant and catching and thought-provoking in its way, and as a 25 years old I can now appreciate some sides of it that I totally missed when I was younger.I also loved to read it in English because of the freshness of the language, that was completely lost in the translation. It made the characters seem more alive. I only wish some of the italian names weren't so misspelled (I can't deal with "Ricardo" with one "c" lol). Oh, I was also extremely surprised by realizing that the Italian version I had was HIGHLY edited, with all the references to sex basically cut off (including the pivotal Josie-Jacob scene and a whole chapter, the second to last). Rather pathetic, if you ask me.